Empathy is the ability to understand and relate to the feelings and experiences of others. Anytime you have felt what someone else is feeling, you have experienced empathy. Empathy is a critical skill for effective leadership.. Empathetic leaders can build strong relationships, foster trust, and create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. But it's not an innate trait. Some people may struggle to develop it. If you’re interested in developing your empathetic leadership skills, therapy can help.